Every MH finish seems to have its all-star moment. Cathy described hers, which is a perfect, all-star blend of communication between dog and handler. It went down like this.
Humphrey quartered, flushed a bird, and hupped. The gunners took several shots and in the confusion, Humphrey lost track of the bird and did not mark it. Cathy could see that Humphrey believed that the bird had fallen behind a berm and into a small valley on the left. Cathy knew that the bird had fallen in the tall grasses to the right. The judge tapped her on the shoulder and told Cathy to send her dog.
But where? Humphrey is a smart and opinionated dog. Cathy concluded that Humphrey would break to the left. She would have to handle him to the right. This was a recipe for over-handling, disobedience, and disaster. Cathy sent Humphrey to the left. The dog took off and disappeared over the berm. Cathy waited. After some time, Humphrey came up, having concluded that the bird was no where to be found. Now he could be handled. Cathy pipped him "over" and to the right. The agreeable dog took off, found the bird, and brought it to hand.
Cathy's decision to send Humphrey to the left was made in a pounding heart-beat. Afterward, the judges agreed that the counter-intuitive action was probably the only thing she could have done. Who among us would have that confidence? Cathy knows Humphrey, and in fact, we all do. Humphrey is smart, opinionated, and sensitive. A spaniel. And now, a Master Hunter as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment